雙語《列那狐》 25

CHAPTER XXV

NOBLE the King was sore moved and angry when he had heard these complaints of the Cony and of the Rook. He was so frightful to look on that his eyes glimmered as fire; he brayed as loud as a bull, in such wise that all the Court quoke for fear; at the last he said, crying,“By my crown, and by the truth that I owe to my wife, I shall so awreak and avenge these trespasses that it shall be long spoken of after. That my safe conduct and my commandment is thus broken, I was over nice that I believed so lightly the false shrew. His false flattering speech deceived me. He told me he would go to Rome, and from thence over the sea to the Holy Land. I gave him male and psalter, and made of him a pilgrim, and meant all truth. Oh, what false touches can he! How can he stuff the sleeve with flocks! But this caused my wife. It was all by her counsel. I am not the first that have been deceived by women's counsel, by which many a great hurt has befallen. I pray and command all them that hold of me, and desire my friendship, be they here or wheresomever they be, that they with their counsel and deeds help me to avenge this over great trespass, that we and ours may abide in honour and worship and this false thief in shame. That he no more trespass against our safeguard, I will myself in my person help thereto all that I may.”

Esegrim the Wolf and Bruin the Bear heard well the King's words, and hoped well to be avenged on Reynart the Fox, but they durst not speak one word. The King was so sore moved that none durst well speak.

At last the Queen spake,“Sire, pour dieu no croyes myou toutes choses que on vous dye, et nor Iures pas legierment. A man of worship should not lightly believe, nor swear greatly, unto the time he knew the matter clearly; and also he ought by right hear that other party speak. There are many that complain on other and are in the default themself. Audi alteram partem: hear that other party. I have truly holden the Fox for good, and upon that that he meant no falsehood I helped him that I might. But howsomever it comes or goes, is he evil or good, me thinks for your worship that you should not proceed against him over hastily. That were not good nor honest, for he may not escape from you. You may prison him or flay him, he must obey your judgment.”

Then said Firapeel the Leopard,“My Lord, me thinks my Lady here has said to you truth and given you good counsel; do you well and follow her, and take advice of your wise council. And if he be founden guilty in the trespasses that now to you be showed, let him be sore punished according to his trespasses. And if he come not hither ere this feast be ended, and excuse him as he ought of right to do, then do as the council shall advise you. But and if he were twice as much false and ill as he is, I would not counsel that he should be done to more than right.”

Esegrim the Wolf said,“Sir Firapeel, all we agree to the same; as far as it pleases my lord the King, it cannot be better. But though Reynart were now here, and he cleared him of double so many plaints, yet should I bring forth against him that he had forfeited his life. But I will now be still and say not, because he is not present. And yet, above all this, he has told the King of certain treasure lying in Krekenpyt in Hulsterlo. There was never lied a greater leasing; therewith he has us all beguiled, and has sore hindered me and the Bear. I dare lay my life thereon that he said not thereof a true word. Now robbs he and steals upon the heath all that goes forth by his house. Nevertheless, Sir Firapeel, what that pleases the King and you that must well be done. But and if he would have come hither he might have been here, for he had knowledge by the King's messenger.”

The King said,“We will none otherwise send for him, but I command all them that owe me service and will my honour and worship that they make them ready to the war at the end of six days, all them that are archers and have bows, guns, bombards, horsemen and footmen, that all these be ready to besiege Maleperdays. I shall destroy Reynart the Fox if I be a king. You lords and sirs, what say you hereto? Will you do this with a good will?”

And they said and cried all,“Yea we, Lord, when that you will, we shall all go with you!”